Safety latch for a tire carrier and improvements therefor

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a safety mechanism for a winch assembly when storing a load, such as a tire under a vehicle or a boat on a trailer, in a raised or stored position. The invention finds particular application to a spare tire, but those skilled in the art will appreciate the broader benefits of such a structure when used with a winch assembly for other uses such as a boat winch for a trailer or any analogous use wherein it is desirable to secure a load in the raised or stored position. 
     A unique actuator is described with an improvement of the invention, which includes a control path therewith to control a rod end and thereby actuates in a preferred embodiment a latch by converting rotary motion to linear motion.

This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.07/639,542, filed on Jan. 10, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,341.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to safety devices which maintain a load in aretained position. More specifically this invention finds applicationfor tires which are stored under a vehicle, having been raised to thatposition by a tire winch, which includes letting out and reeling in aresilient member such as a cable to move the tire from a loweredposition to a stored position. A safety device is therefor provided,which ensures the tire remains in the stored position should theresilient member break. This application also relates to a rotaryactuator which in a preferred embodiment is embodied with the winch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great number of devices exists which raise and lower a load, andspecifically a spare tire from a stored position underneath a vehicle toa lowered position for access by an individual. Conventionally the tirecarrier may be pinned to the frame by nut and bolt or the like to retainthe tire in a raised position, should a resilient member break.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,167 to Kabushiki Kaisha, describes an improvedholding device for a spare tire which includes a tire carrier portionsuspended from a chain so that a tire is retained in a stored positionand is locked in position. The release of the lock is actuated by therotation of the shaft 9 which causes the disengagement of the lever fromthe groove of the wheel support member. Therefore rotation of theoperating shaft in the appropriate direction is what is required toraise and lower the spare wheel. Further the assembly of theaforementioned device is quite heavy and cumbersome in operation as bestseen in FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 10 thereof. The '167 patent, provides a pawlor spring steel spring 19 which prevents the rotation of the ratchetwheel, as seen in FIGS. 2, 6(a, b), and 7, wherein member 19 forciblyengages the peripheral edge of the ratchet wheel 5 and prevents therotation of the wheel in the direction which causes release of thechain.

It would therefore be advantageous in one aspect of the invention toprovided a positive locking of the wheel in position which is notdependent upon the rotation of the shaft, and the mechanical reliabilityof all of the interrelated components, which are required for such amechanism to work. It would also be advantages to simplify the '167structure considerably so as to provide a simple device which uponrotation of the winch handle releases the locking device in a positivemanner.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,785 to Deuer Manufacturing describes a securingmechanism for a spare tire which is normally disengaged from the carrierof the tire when the tire is in the raised position. Should the cablebreak locking pins are urged to engage the tire carrier and hold it in araised position so the tire is not lost. This mechanism includes lockingpins which are urged outwardly by springs. Should salt spray over anumber of years degrade the quality of response of these pins, it ispossible that the device may fail just when it is most needed.

Nowhere within the prior art is there found a simple latching devicewhich is actuated when a cranking device engages a detent portionproximate the winch. In one aspect of the invention no rotation of theshaft is required and the latch is always released prior to rotation ofthe shaft thereby reducing the load on the latch and simplifying theoperation of the mechanism. When the cranking device is disengaged fromthe detent portion, the latch being resilient biased moves back to itslatching position. In another aspect of an improvement of the inventionthe latch may be release upon rotation of the cranking device using amember which releases the latch upon rotation of the cranking mechanismin a much simplified manner than presently known devices.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provided a safety devicefor a load carrier which is engaged at all times when the carrier is inthe raised position.

It is a further object this invention to provide a safety device for aload carrier which is easy to use and is reliable.

It is a further object of an improvement to the invention to provide arotary actuator which controls an operating device for a remotemechanism and which operation of the actuator device moves the operatingmechanism and preferably the actuator being embodied with a winchmechanism as an add on component thereof or as integral part thereof

Further and other objects of this invention will become apparent to aman skilled in the art when considering the following summary of theinvention and the more detailed description of the preferred embodimentsillustrated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a safety mechanism for a winch assembly whenstoring a load, such as a tire under a vehicle or a boat on a trailer,in a raised or stored position. The invention finds particularapplication to a spare tire, but those skilled in the art willappreciate the broader benefits of such a structure when used with awinch assembly for other uses such as a boat winch for a trailer or anyanalogous use wherein it is desirable to secure a load in the raised orstored position.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a safetydevice for a winch assembly, preferably for a spare tire storageassembly, the assembly including a winch affixed by mounting meansproximate a stored position for a load, for example the preferred sparetire, the winch by the operation of handle means lets out and takes up alength of a member (preferably a cable) affixed at one end to the winchand preferably to a reel thereof, which letting out and taking up of themember moves the load, for example the preferred spare tire, installedon a hub, from a locked stored position, preferably under a vehicle, toan unlocked accessible position remote and preferably below the storedposition, the safety device comprising a carrier and preferably a tirecarrier for carrying the load, for example the preferred spare tireinstalled on the hub, the carrier including a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion for supporting the load, the preferred tireinstalled on a hub, and the second portion being integral with the firstportion and affixed with the other end of the member remote the winch,the second portion of the carrier including a detent portion,(preferably a shoulder), the safety device having engaging means forsaid handle means, the engaging means for said handle means beingaffixed with the mounting means proximate the winch and having apreferably hollow portion, the preferably hollow portion of the engagingmeans having lever means associated therewith, the lever means beingmoveably affixed with respect to the mounting means, the safety devicehaving resiliently biased latching means moveably affixed with respectto the mounting means, the lever means being interconnected with thelatching means and being moveable from a first position when the handlemeans does not engage the engaging means to a second position whereatthe handle means engages the engaging means, the latching means havingdetent means disposed therewith and moveable with the latching means bythe lever means from a third position whereat the load, for example thepreferred spare tire, is in the locked position, and the detent means ofthe latching means engages the detent means of the second portion of thecarrier to latch the carrier in the stored position and preclude theloss of the load should the member break, to a fourth position whereatthe load, for example the preferred spare tire installed on a hub, isunlatched and free to move by the letting out or taking up of the memberby the operation of the winch to and from the accessible position.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a safetydevice for a spare tire storage assembly, the assembly including a winchaffixed by a mounting bracket adjacent a stored position for the sparetire under a vehicle, the winch by the operation of a separate handlelets out and takes up a length of a cable affixed at one end to thewinch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting out and taking upof the cable moves the spare tire, installed on a hub, from a lockedstored position under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible positionbelow the stored position, the safety device comprising a tire carrierfor carrying the spare tire installed on the hub, the carrier includinga first portion for insertion within an opening in the hub and abuttingthe bottom of the hub, and a second shank portion having two ends andbeing affixed to the first portion proximate one end and having anexpanded head proximate the other end, the first portion for supportingthe spare tire installed on a hub, and the second shank portion beingintegral with the first portion and being affixed to the other end ofthe cable remote the winch proximate the head of the second shankportion, the head of the second shank portion of the carrier including ashoulder adjacent the shank portion, the safety device having apreferably hollow portion for engaging said handle, the preferablyhollow portion being affixed with a mounting bracket proximate thewinch, the preferably hollow portion having a lever associatedtherewith, preferably the lever including a cam surface for engaging thehandle, the lever being moveably affixed with respect to a mountingbracket, the safety device having a resiliently biased pawl moveablyaffixed with respect to a mounting bracket, the lever beinginterconnected with the pawl and the lever being moveable from a firstposition when the handle does not engage the lever and preferably thecam surface thereof to a second position whereat the handle meansengages the lever and moves the lever to the second position, the pawlhaving at least one finger and preferably two disposed therewith andmoveable with the pawl by the lever from a third position whereat thespare tire is in the locked position, and the at least one finger of thepawl engages under the shoulder of the head of the second shank portionof the tire carrier to latch the tire carrier in the stored position andpreclude the loss of the tire should the cable break, to a fourthposition whereat the spare tire installed on a hub is unlatched and freeto move by the letting out or taking up of the cable to and from theaccessible position by the operation of the winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided asafety device for a winch assembly, preferably for a spare tire storageassembly, the assembly including a winch having a housing and affixed bymounting means near a stored position for a load, for example thepreferred spare tire, the winch by the operation of handle means letsout and takes up a length of a member (preferably a cable) affixed atone end to the winch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting outand taking up of the member moves the load, for example the preferredspare tire, installed on a hub, from a locked stored position,preferably under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible position remoteand preferably below the stored position, the safety device comprisingin use a carrier and preferably a tire carrier for carrying the load,for example the preferred spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion and a second portion, the first portion forsupporting the load, the preferred tire installed on a hub, and thesecond portion being disposed with the first portion in use and engagedin use with the other end of the member remote the winch, the secondportion of the carrier including a detent portion, (preferably ashoulder), the safety device being moveable and preferably rotatable byrotation of said handle means when said winch is rotated and includingan actuating member preferably for converting rotary motion tosubstantially linear motion, the actuating member in one embodimentbeing disposed within the winch housing and in another embodiment beingengageable with said winch preferably proximate one side thereof remotesaid handle means in use, preferably a disk shaped member, the actuatingmember having disposed therewith control means, preferably disposedproximate a first side thereof, and preferably at least one spiral path,the control means of the actuating member for engagement in use withoperating means of said safety device, the operating means having detentmeans associated with the control means of said actuating member in useand for controlling the motion of said operating means when the winch isrotated (preferably said operating means being a rod having two ends,the first end for engagement with the control means of said actuatingmember and preferably with the spiral path thereof, and the second endfor operating the safety device and in one embodiment the rod operatinglever means associated with the safety device), the operating means (andthe preferred rod) being moveably affixed with respect to the assembly,the safety device having preferably resiliently biased latching meansmoveably affixed with respect to the assembly, the operating means (andin one embodiment the lever means) being interconnected with thelatching means and being moveable by the actuating member and thecontrol means thereof, in engagement with said detent means of saidoperating means, from a first position when the winch is not operatedand the load is in the stored position, to a second position when thewinch is operated and the load is being moved from the stored position,the latching means having detent means disposed therewith and moveablewith the latching means by the operating means (and in one embodimentthe lever means) from a third position whereat the load, for example thepreferred spare tire, is in the locked position when the winch is notoperated, and the detent means of the latching means engages the detentmeans of the second portion of the carrier to latch the carrier in thestored position and preclude the loss of the load should the memberbreak, to a fourth position whereat the load, for example the preferredspare tire installed on a hub, is unlatched and free to move by theletting out or taking up of the member by the operation of the winch toand from the accessible position.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a safetydevice for a spare tire storage assembly, the assembly including a winchaffixed by a mounting bracket adjacent a stored position for the sparetire under a vehicle, the winch by the operation of a separate handlelets out and takes up a length of a cable affixed at one end to thewinch and preferably to a reel thereof, which letting out and taking upof the cable moves the spare tire, installed on a hub, from a lockedstored position under a vehicle, to an unlocked accessible positionbelow the stored position, the safety device comprising in use a tirecarrier for carrying the spare tire installed on the hub, the carrierincluding a first portion for insertion within an opening in the hub andpreferably abutting the bottom of the hub, and a second shank portionhaving two ends and being engaged with the first portion proximate oneend and having an expanded head proximate the other end, the firstportion for supporting the spare tire installed on a hub, and the secondshank portion being engaged with the first portion and being engagedwith the other end of the cable remote the winch proximate the head ofthe second shank portion, the head of the second shank portion of thecarrier including a shoulder adjacent the shank portion, the safetydevice being moveable and preferably rotatable by rotation of saidhandle when said winch is rotated and including an actuating memberpreferably for converting rotary motion to substantially linear motion,the actuating member in one embodiment being disposed within the winchhousing and in another embodiment being engageable with said winchpreferably proximate one side thereof remote said handle in use,preferably a disk shaped member, the actuating member having disposedtherewith at least one preferably spiral link control path having afirst and second end, preferably the first end of the link control pathbeing disposed proximate the centre of the actuating member and thesecond end of the link control path being disposed proximate theperimeter of the actuating member, preferably the link control pathbeing disposed proximate a first side of the actuating member remotesaid handle in use, the link control path of the actuating member forengagement in use with an operating link of said safety device to movesaid operating link and operate said safety device, the operating link(preferably said operating link being a rod) having two ends, one endthereof associated with the link control path of said actuating memberin use and for controlling the motion of said operating link when thewinch is rotated and the second end for operating the safety device (andin one embodiment the rod operating lever means associated with thesafety device), the operating link being moveably affixed with respectto the assembly, the safety device having a resiliently biased pawlmoveably affixed with respect to a mounting bracket, the operating linkbeing interconnected with the pawl and being moveable from a firstposition when the handle does not rotate the winch whereat the end ofthe operating link engaging the link control path of the actuatingmember is proximate the first end of the link control path, to a secondposition whereat the handle rotates the winch and the end of theoperating link engaging the link control path of the actuating member isproximate the second end of the link control path, the pawl having atleast one finger, and preferably two disposed therewith, and moveablewith the pawl by the motion of the operating link from a third positionwhereat the spare tire is in the locked position, and the at least onefinger of the pawl engages under the shoulder of the head of the secondshank portion of the tire carrier to latch the tire carrier in thestored position and preclude the loss of the tire should the cablebreak, to a fourth position whereat the spare tire installed on a hub isunlatched and free to move by the letting out or taking up of the cableto and from the accessible position by the operation of the winch.

In a preferred embodiment the detent means and the preferred at leastone finger of the latching means and the preferred pawl has disposedtherewith cam surfaces to engage the second portion of the carrier whenthe load is moved from the accessible position to the stored position toensure proper positioning of the detent or finger of the latch withrespect to the detent of the second portion of the carrier when the loadis moved to the stored position.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided anactuating member and preferably a disk shaped member, for convertingrotary motion to substantially linear motion, preferably in oneembodiment being disposed within a winch housing and preferably inanother embodiment being engageable with said winch, the actuatingmember having disposed therewith control means, preferably disposedproximate a first side thereof, and preferably at least one spiral path,the control means of the actuating member for engagement in use withoperating means of at least a two operating position device, theoperating means having detent means associated with the control means ofsaid actuating member in use and for controlling the motion of saidoperating means when the actuating member is rotated (preferably saidoperating means being a rod having two ends, the first end forengagement with the control means of said actuating member andpreferably with the spiral path thereof, and the second end foroperating the at least two operating position device, and in oneembodiment the rod operating lever means associated with the device),the operating means (and the preferred rod) being moveably affixed withrespect to the at least two operating position device, the at least twooperating position device having actuated means moveably affixed withrespect to the assembly, the operating means (and in one embodiment thelever means) being interconnected with the actuated means and beingmoveable by the actuating member and the control means thereof, inengagement with said detent means of said operating means, from a firstposition when the actuating means is not operated, to a second positionwhen the actuating means is operated.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided anactuating member for converting rotary motion to substantially linearmotion, preferably the actuating member in one embodiment being disposedwithin a winch housing and in another embodiment being engageable withsaid winch, the actuating member preferably a disk shaped member havingdisposed therewith at least one link control path (preferably spiral)having a first and second end, preferably the first end of the linkcontrol path being disposed proximate the centre of the actuating memberand the second end of the link control path being disposed proximate theperimeter of the actuating member, preferably the link control pathbeing disposed proximate a first side of the actuating member, the linkcontrol path of the actuating member for engagement in use with anoperating link of said an at least two operating position device to movesaid operating link and operate said at least two operating positiondevice, the operating link (preferably said operating link being a rod)having two ends, one end thereof associated with the link control pathof said actuating member in use and for controlling the motion of saidoperating link when the actuating member is rotated and the second endfor operating the at least two operating position device (and in oneembodiment the rod operating lever means associated with the at leasttwo operating position device), the operating link being moveablyaffixed with respect to the assembly, the at least two operatingposition device having actuated means moveably affixed with respect tothe assembly, the operating link being interconnected with the actuatedmeans and being moveable from a first position whereat the end of theoperating link engaging the link control path of the actuating member isproximate the first end of the link control path, to a second positionwhereat the actuating member rotates and the end of the operating linkengaging the link control path of the actuating member is proximate thesecond end of the link control path, thus moving the at least twooperating position device to and from its operating positions.

According to yet another aspect of the invention the aforementionedsafety devices and specifically the winch therefore may further comprisean annular raised portion on the housing of the winch for engaging andlocking with a supplementary housing containing a torque limiting deviceoperable with said winch.

According to yet another aspect of the invention the aforementionedactuators, safety devices and specifically the winch therefore mayfurther comprise an actuator comprising a disk shaped member ofthermoplastic material with an opening provided therewith for thefastening of the actuator in position in use and having substantiallyarcuate spiral paths provided therewith to control the motion of a rodend, the paths being defined between two substantially spiral shapedraised portions which include a centre broad portion and flexibletapered flange portions proximate the ends of the raised portions, and araised ring about the perimeter of said member, the raised portionstherefore control the rod end therebetween as the actuator is rotated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be illustrated with respect to the followingdrawings illustrating embodiments of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a vehicle upon which the invention isinstalled.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the winch assembly of FIG. 1 illustratingthe latching mechanism thereof for securing a tire in a stored positionunder a vehicle and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating the action forunlatching the securing mechanism of the winch assembly when a crank isinserted for operation of the winch illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the latching portion 49 illustrate inperspective and top plan view winch 20 illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective and side views respectively of thereduction gears of the winch illustrated in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic illustrations of improvements of theinvention installed and illustrated in two preferred embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a close-up side plan view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7 and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 9, and 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic views of the latching of the carrierillustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an improvement to the torquelimiter of the assembly illustrated in a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a cut-away view of the integrated assembly of the inventionof FIG. 14 illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a partially cut-away side plan view of a winch including aunique actuator contained within the housing of the winch andillustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the operation of the winch of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 18 through 20 illustrate schematically the actuator 300 of theprevious illustrations and the operation thereof illustrated in apreferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a vehicle V having a winchassembly 20 mounted therewith. Separate from the winch assembly is atorque limiter 30 which may also be integral with the winch. The tire Tis conveniently stored under the vehicle V until such time as a useraccess the tire by lower the tire using the crank handle 5 at the end 6and inserting it to access the torque limiting device 30 attached to thewinch 20. The tire T may then be moved in a direction D2 to lower thetire to the ground. Handle 5 is inserted in a direction D1 in the sleeve40A wherein a latching mechanism generally referred to as 40 isdisposed. The end of the handle 6 engages the cam surface 42 a of thelever 40 which is connected to the rod 43 at the end 41. The rod 43 isconnected to a latching mechanism 45 at the end 44 thereof. Thereforethe latching mechanism 45 rotates in response to the movement of thelever 40 to disengage the shoulder 51 of the head of the shank portion50 so that the tire carrier portion and the tire may be lowered to theground.

The assembly includes a mounted plate 29 to which a hollow cylinder 40 ais attached, by attaching portions 40 b to the bracket 29. When the end6 of the crank 5 therefore is inserted in the cylinder 40 a end 6 abutsthe lever cam portion 42 a which lever 40 is pivoted at pivot 42, theuse of which will be described hereinafter. Therefore the end 6 of thecrank 5 is inserted through to the hollow shaft portion 35 whichreceives the end 6 of the crank handle 5. The torque limiter 30therefore includes two outer housing portions 35 a and 36 a. The half 35a includes the hollow shaft portion 35 which half 35 a connects to thehalf 36 a which connects to the shaft 36 which continues on to the winchportion 20.

The shaft 36 then continues on to a typical winch including a reel 25.The winch 20 includes a housing 21 mounted to the mounting bracket 15which winch 20 includes gear reduction portion 70 and 60 as best seen inFIGS. 5 and 6 which are used for speed reduction purposes. The use ofthese gears will be described hereinafter. A resilient cable 28 is woundon to and off of the reel 25 by the rotation of the crank 5 in therequired direction. Any winch structure would suffice and the details ofthe winch are not provided for this reason. The important portions ofthe invention are the lever portion 40 and the related latching portion45 which are actuated by the insertion of the end 6 of the crank arm 5through the cylinder 40 a.

Disposed below the mounting plate 29 is a extension portion 17. Theshank portion 50 a and the head 50 having shoulders 51 adjacent theshank portion 50 a are contained within this frame portion 17 when thetire is retained in its stored position. The latching portion 45therefore engages the shoulder portions 51 of the tire carrier 50 whichretains the the tire in the stored position should the cable 28 break.Further the latch mechanism assists carrying the load of the tire in thenormal stored position.

The tire T is attached to a rim T1 at flanges T2 as is typically knownin the art. The tire is retained in the stored position by the latch 45being secured to the shoulder 51 of the head affixed to the shank 50 aand having a flange 53 extending underneath the rim T1. This flange 53raises and lowers the tire T from the stored position to the accessibleposition as the cable 28 is wound out or wound in. A spring biaseddevice 54 which abuts the flange 54 a is provided to retain the correcttension in the unit. This is well known in the art.

When the crank 5 is inserted toward the winch 20 the end 6 of the crankarm passes through the sleeve 40 a and abuts the lever 40 at the camsurface 42 a thereof to cause such lever 40 to rotate at its pivot 42and causes the rod 43 attached to the crank or lever 40 at the end 41 tomove in a direction compatible to D1 and link with the latch mechanism45 at point 44. Therefore as the rod 43 moves in the direction D1 itcauses the latch mechanism 45 pivoted at 46 via cam portion 47 to pivotin a direction D3 as best seen FIG. 3. Therefore the locking fingers 49are removed from recess 17A of the frame portion 17 disengaging thefinger portions 49 from underneath the shoulder 51 of the head portion50 of the tire carrier 52.

The rotation of the latch in direction D3 allows the release or latchingof the shoulder portion 51 of the tire carrier 52. The tire is shown inthe accessible position about to be cranked up to its stored positionand latched when handle 5 is removed from the cylindrical portion 40 ato release the detent portion 42 a and thereby allow the latch portionto return to its locked position under the shoulder 51 of the carrier 52herein the fingers 49 lock under the shoulder 51 on the butting arcuatesurface 44 thereof wherein the tire is therefore in the latchedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be readily seen that the torquelimiting device 30 is contained separately from the winch assembly 20.Therefore the torque limiting device 30 includes two halves 36 a and 35a which contain the torque limiting plates 30 a and 30B which engage atall times and are held in constant engagement by the belleville spring31. Therefore the spring 31 and the plates 30 a and 30 b are containedbetween the two portion 36 a and 35 a The shaft 35 is affixed forexample by welding to portion 35 a. The portion 35 a and the torqueplates 30 a and 30 b are also pressed against the other halve of thehousing 36 a. The portions 37 are used for connecting the two plates 35a and 36 a loosely together. Therefore when the shaft 5 at end 6 isinserted within the hollow of the shaft 35 and turned the housingportion 36 a and the shaft 36 which engages the winch 20 are alsorotated. The torque limiting plates 30 a and 30 b include a multiplicityof teeth, which at a predetermined torque, the plates slip with respectto one another and thus provide overload protection for the winch 20.The torque limiting device 30 is a supplement to any winch and it mayprovide an add on package for a winch which has no torque overloadprotection by merely inserting this package 30 on a convenient shaft inbetween the housing 20 and the handle.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 there are illustrated ring gear portions60 stamped from a metal disk wherein the recess 65 including the teeth65 a are produced by stamping the ring gear 60 so as to raise a portionthereof out of the plane of the ring gear 60. Similarly the planetarygear portion 70 includes teeth 75 which are formed by raising the teeth75 out of the plane P2 of the planetary gear 70. In doing so a pocket isprovided behind the section having the teeth 75 thereon. This thereforeprovides a simple method of forming a ring gear and a planetary gearwhich is easy to manufacture. The ring and planetary gear inter fit asbest shown in FIG. 6 wherein the teeth 75 which extends laterally awayfrom the plain P2 of the ring gear 70 are inserted within the opening 65b of the ring gear 60 so that the teeth 65 of the ring gear engage theteeth 75 of the planetary gear. Within the winch 20 there is an offsetwhich is inserted within the opening 63 of the ring gear 60 so that theplanetary gear may wobble about the opening 73 therein and thus providegear reduction which is known as taumel gear reduction. Therefore withinthe winch 20 there is provided taumel gear reductions portions includinga ring gear 60 and an planetary gear 70 which are manufactured by astamping process from flat circular plates and have teeth on the ringgear and teeth on the planetary gear which inter engage having beenformed by metal stamping techniques. Generally there is one less toothformed with the planetary gear than the ring gear to effect the taumelprinciple.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is illustrated two embodiments ofimprovements to the invention. The embodiments illustrate winches 120and 220, installed adjacent the bottom V1 and V2 of vehicles VA and VB,for moving a tire TA and TB from a stored position to an accessibleposition. Specifically FIG. 8 illustrates a winch 220 installed at adistance from the tire TB separated therefrom by an cable access tube228A. Further the winch 220 is disposed horizontally whereas winch 120is disposed vertically. Handle 206 is provided in FIG. 8 to rotate thewinch 220.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 there is illustrated the winch 120of FIG. 7, the winch components being contained between the housing 121and the backing plate 115 similar to the unit described in relation toFIGS. 2 and 3. Nut 135 a is provided for access by the handle H at end106 a thereof. The winch 120 is attached to the bottom V1 of vehicle VAat 129 by exemplary mounting holes 115 b so that the portionsillustrated extend through the bottom 129 toward the tire TA.Alternatively the flange 115 a may be welded to the bottom 129 of thevehicle. In this manner the cable 128 may be lowered and raised securelyto and from the stored and accessible positions.

The tire carrier 150 is provided at one end of the cable and operates ina similar manner to the assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the exceptions aswill be described as follows.

The backing plate 115 is formed from a single stamping which includesmounting portions 115 b and 115 a and flanges 115 c and 115 d. Theportion 115 c has a passage similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 toprovide for the passage of cable 128. The winch 120 and the componentsthereof are housed within the cover 121 and the backing plate 115. Onthe other side of the backing plate is provided the actuator 300 fixedin position by hexagonal threaded fastener 300 a. As best seen in FIGS.18 through 20 there is provided on the side of the actuator nearestbracket 115 substantially spiral shaped control paths 301 and 302 withinwhich end 181 of serpentine rod 180 is disposed. When the winch 120 isoperated by the handle H, the actuator 300 is also rotated. The handleH2 is operated and is connected by arm H1 to end H3 wherein is disposedat opening 106 a to engage end 135 a of of spindle 135 a. When the winch120 is operated in a clockwise direction thereby paying out the cable128, the actuator 300 will rotate in a counter clockwise direction (whenviewed in relation to FIG. 10) moving the rod end 181 towards theperimeter of the actuator which causes the lever arm 141 a of lever 140near the other end 182 of rod 180 to move about pivot 140 a fixed toflange 115 d of bracket 115. The leg 141 of lever 140 is fixed at 143 bto rod 143 which in turn engages with openings 148 a to locking member148 which works substantially the same as item 48 of FIG. 2 with theexception that item 148 moves in a more linear fashion than item 48 ofFIG. 2. A torsion spring 148 b is provided to bias member 148 withinwindows 115 f of flange 115 c to the locked position. Therefore when thecarrier is in the position shown in FIG. 13 as the winch 120 is rotatedthe actuator is also rotated to move end 181 of rod 180 in the mannerdescribed above so as to remove the forks 149 sufficiently away from thecarrier shoulder 151 to allow the cable 128 to be payed out and the tireto be moved to the accessible position. When the winch 120 is rotatedback to the stored position, after a tire change and presumably with arepaired tire thereon, the rod end 181 will be moved along paths 301 and302 towards the centre nut 300 a returning the forked portions 149 tothe latched position. As the carrier 155 returns to the latched positionthe head 150 abuts the tapered surface 149 a of forks 149 at cam surface150 a thereby forcing the forks 149 away from the head 150 as best seenin FIG. 12 until the forks are free to return under the shoulders 151of: head 150 as best seen in FIG. 13, being biased to do so by torsionspring 148 b.

As best seen in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 cable 128 is anchored in slot 160 aof circular plate 160 which plate forms one half of the winch reel Rdefined with the other reelplate 161. As shown the cable will thereforewind on the reel R in a clockwise direction (when observed from thehousing end 121 of FIG. 14) in this embodiment only, and accumulates onelayer above another on surface 160 b when the winch is operated. Ahousing 121 is provided at one end of the winch components which ismounted via opening 121 e (via fasteners not shown) to the bracket 115also providing the other closing end of the winch 120. A spindle 135therefore extends through the opening 121 b of housing 121 and anopening 117 in the mounting plate 115 as best seen in FIG. 15. A nut end135 a is therefore provided for access by the handle H or for engagementwith a separate clip on torque limiter as best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15.The spindle 135 therefore passes through an opening 173 of gearplate 170which has gears 175 provided therewith, having nine teeth. A tailportion 170 a is provided with gearplate 170 to prevent the freerotation thereof in operation as best seen in FIG. 16A. The spindle 135therefore engages gearplate 170 proximate opening 173 at eccentricportion 135 b of spindle 135, the opening 173 being slightly larger thanthe eccentric portion 135 b. The eccentric portion therefore wobbleswithin the opening 173 or gearplate 170 in use.

As best seen in FIG. 15 the spindle portion 135 d therefore passesthereafter through, the opening 160 d of reelplate 160, the opening 161b of reelplate 161, the opening 117 of bracket 115, and finally throughthe opening 300 x of the disk shaped actuator 300 whereat a hexagonalthreaded fastener 300 a engages opening 135 e, as best seen in FIG. 15,thereby fastening and retaining all of the winch components.

The reelplate 160 is constructed similarly to the structure illustratedin FIG. 5 and has a ring gear 165 formed on the side thereof nearest thegearplate 170, as best seen in relation to FIG. 16A, which has tenengaging teeth to engage the nine teeth 175 of gearplate 170. Thisdifference of one tooth in the number of teeth between the gears 165 and175 causes a speed reduction but increased torque in the operation ofthe winch which speed reduction principle is known and described in manywinch assemblies in the prior art. Therefore as the handle H is operatedin a clockwise direction (when observed in FIG. 14), the spindle 135will also rotate in a clockwise direction; the eccentric portion 135 boperating within the opening 173 of gearplate 170 with the nine teeth175 engaging the ring gear teeth 165, numbered ten, of reelplate 160thereby driving the reel R in a direction so as to takeup cable.

The cable 128 is anchored in opening 160 a of reelplate 160 via fastener128 a in a conventional manner. Therefore as the winch is operated thecable will be taken up in the clockwise direction and payed out in thecounterclockwise direction. Of course this may be reversed in design. Asbest seen in relation to FIGS. 11 and 16B there is provided as a part ofthe bottom 160 b of reel R, a resiliently biased arm 162 provided as aanti-backdriving feature for the winch 120. The arm 162 includes anarcuate side 162 a which abuts in use the first coil of cable 128 and isretained in position by the first coil at position X, until the cable ispayed out to the position Y in FIG. 16B, whereat the arm 162 beingresiliently biased outward by torsion spring 162 d upon further rotationof the winch engages the detent 121 h of the housing 121 at 162 bthereby preventing the further rotation of the reel R and the risk ofthe winch backdriving and taking up cable with the further rotation ofthe winch 120 thereby damaging the cable. The arm 162 includes a torsionspring 162 d having two ends. The first end 162 f extends along the armin a long groove cut in the arm to ensure the proper biasing and motionof the arm, and the second end 162 e extend towards the reelplate 160and is anchored in an opening in reelplate 160 (not shown). A pinextends through opening 162 h to anchor the arm 162 to reelplate 161 atopening 161 d. Generally an arm such as arm 162 is taught in the art inU.S. Pat. No 2,053,976 issued September of 1936.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15 there is illustrated the same winchstructure of FIGS. 9 through 13 with the addition that a torque limitingunit 130 is provided which fastens to the side of housing 121 by annularring 121 a which includes portions 121 x which act as clips to fastenover flange 137 a of torque limiter housing 137. The housing and thecontents thereof when aligned so as to engages the end 135 a of spindle135 as shown therefore clips in position when the flange 137 a ispressed over clips 121 x causing the clips to flex downwardly until theypass the flange and clip thereover to retain the housing 137 inposition. The clips are formed with the annular ring 121 a of housing121 with separations defined between the portions 121 x and the ring 121a to allow the independent flexing of the clips.

The torque limiter 130 is similar in design to that illustrated in FIGS.1 through 6 with the exception that its is joined to the winch housingas a supplementary member utilizing one side of the winch housing 121 toact as a backing plate for housing 137 to retain the torque limitercomponents. A spring therefore is provided to ensure the engagement ofthe teeth 132, 133 disposed upon adjacent surfaces of of gears 130 a and130 b as best seen in FIG. 15. Member 130 a also includes a nut portion130 e for engagement with the handle H in use. Member 130 b includes aspindle engaging portion 133 a to engage portion 135 a of the spindle135 and hence drive the winch 120 in the manner described previously.Therefore if the handle H accesses the nut 130 formed with the gear 130via portion H3 thereof, H3 engages the seal H5 of the assembly (which isrecommended as a barrier to dirt and moisture but is optional) and nutportion 130 e of the torque limiter extending through opening 137 b ofthe housing 137. As the handle H is rotated the nut 130 e will cause thegear 130 a to rotate which because of the engagement of teeth 132 and133 will cause the gear 130 b to rotate which will in turn cause spindleend 135 a to rotate as engaged by portion 133 a of gear 130 b. The teeth132 and 133 remain in engagement as biased by belleville spring 131which under normal operating conditions ensure the engagement of teeth132 and 133. The torque limiting plates 130 a and 130 b include themultiplicity of teeth 132 and 133, and at a predetermined torque, theplates slip with respect to one another and thus provide overloadprotection for the winch 120. The torque limiting device 130 is asupplement to any winch and it may provide an add on package for a winchwhich has no torque overload protection by merely inserting this package130 on the winch housing thereof as illustrated in FIG. 15 and describedabove. The balance of the winch assembly 120 and the operation thereofremains as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is illustrated a winch assembly aspreviously described with the exception that the actuator 300 replacesthe reel plate 161 in defining reel R2 with reelplate 160. Otherwise theoperation thereof is identical to previous descriptions of the assembly.However the embodiment of FIG. 16 presents a more compact package.Further the torque limiting features illustrated and described inrelation to FIG. 15 may be incorporated therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 17 there is illustrated the winch assembly 220 asillustrated in relation to FIG. 8 which separates the componentspreviously described in order to provide a package which may be orientedhorizontally. Therefore two mounting plates 215 and 216 are provided.The winch 220 being fastened in use to plate 215 at the bottom of thevehicle and including all of the features previously described includingthe actuator 300 for engagement with rod end 281 of rod 280. A tube 228a is provided to smoothly carry the cable 228 from the winch 220 to thetire carrier in a manner consistent with the previous descriptions. Therod 280 operates in a manner consistent with the operation of rod 180described and illustrated above. The latch bracket 216 is mounted underthe vehicle via opening 216 e, and carries a latch 248 engageable inopenings 216 d disposed with downwardly extending bracket 216 c in amanner as previously described. The rod end 282 rides in slots 248 a inlatch 248 which as previously described is resiliently biased to thelatched position of the carrier by the torsion spring 248 b. The rod 280is guided by portion 215 f and an equivalent portion on member 216 (notshown) to ensure rod 280 travels in a substantially linear path toprovide linear motion of latch 248 when engaging and disengaging thecarrier head 150. Otherwise the operation of the winch 220 and rod 280in relation to actuator 300 are consistent with the description inrelation to FIGS. 9 through 15 above.

Referring now to FIG. 16A there is illustrate the wobbling effect ofplate 170 and the gears 175 thereof with respect to the ring gear 165 ofreel plate 160 as driven by eccentric 135 b of spindle 135. The plate170 includes a tail portion 170 a which is retained in area 121 g of thespace defined in housing 121 so as to prevent movement of the plate 170beyond the bounds set by 121 g. The motion of the eccentric will causethe gear 175 to drive the reelplate 160 at a speed reduction as is knownand described above.

Referring now to FIG. 18 through 20 and FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 there isillustrated the actuator 300 being molded from nylon or plastic with theopening 300 x provided therewith for the fastening of the actuator inposition as described previously. Substantially arcuate paths 301 and302 are provided therewith to control the motion of rod end 181 (or 281)when the winch 120 (or 220) is operated. The paths 301 and 302 aredefined between two substantially spiral shaped raised portions 305which include a centre broad portion 315 and flexible flange portions310 and 320 at the ends of the raised portions 305. Also provide toretain the rod end in use is a raised ring 308. The raised portions 305therefore control the rod end 181 therebetween as the actuator 300 isrotated. For example when the tire is in the stored position and thelatch 148 latches the carrier head 150, it may be desired to to lowerthe tire for access. The rod end therefore begins at the position asshown in FIG. 18 proximate the centre of the actuator 300. If theactuator were rotated in a direction D1 the rod will remain in itsposition of FIG. 18 and the flexible flanges 320 will flex outwardlyaway from the rod end 181 to allow it to pass in one direction only.However when the actuator 300 is rotated in the direction D2 it will beforced to move along the substantially spiral path 301 for one quarterof a turn, not being able to pass the flexible flange ends 320 of theactuator, until the rod end reaches a position near the perimeter ofactuator 300. The rod end then travels in paths 303 and 304 bounded bythe raised portions 305 and the raised collar 308, passing the flexibleflanges 310 in one direction only. The continued rotation of theactuator retains the rod end 181 in the control paths 303 and 304. Inmoving the rod end 181 from near the centre of the actuator 300 to nearthe perimeter of the actuator 300, the rod 180 therefore has been movedan equivalent linear amount to the radius of the actuator so as todisengage the latch 148 form the carrier head shoulder 151 as previouslydescribed and to allow the lowering of the carrier and the tire to theaccessible position. Therefore continued rotation of the winch will notchange the position of the rod end 181 until such time as the tire isreturned to the stored position and the actuator is rotated in directionD1 whereat the rod end 181 will not be able to pass the flexible flange310 and will be forced to return along arcuate path 301 or 302 to nearthe centre of the actuator 300 whereat the rod end 181 will pass theflexible flanges 320 continually until the tire is raised and latched asdescribed previously in relation to FIGS. 12 and 13.

All of the components of the winch assemblies previously described maybe manufactured from resilient materials such as nylon or otherthermoplastic materials in order to reduce the weight of the assembly.However this is not essential. In doing so weight savings may berealized. Further the embodiments of the invention considerably reducethe number of components of the assembly and hence reduce the weight andincrease the reliability thereof. For example a winch assembly of FIG. 8may be reduced from previously known structures from 43 parts in totalto 28 parts, a 34% savings, at a weight reduction from 4.75 pounds to3.5 pounds, a 26% savings in weight.

As many changes can be made to the invention without departing from thescope of the invention, it is intended that all material containedherein by interpreted as illustrative of the invention and not in alimiting sense.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are as follows:
 1. An improved safety device foruse in a winch assembly having a winch reel rotatable upon a driveshaft, said winch reel taking up and letting out a flexible memberhaving a first and second end and being attached to said reel proximatesaid first end, the improved safety device comprising: i) a carrier forcarrying a load, the carrier including a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion having means for supporting the load, and thesecond portion being engaged with the second end of the flexible memberfrom remote the winch reel, the second portion of the carrier includinga detent portion; ii) a latch actuating member, the latch actuatingmember being directly mounted on the drive shaft of said winch reel andhaving an axis of rotation in common with the axis of rotation of saidwinch reel, the latch actuating member being rotatable simultaneouslywith the winch reel as said winch reel is rotated, said latch actuatingmember including control means for controlling the motion of a latchoperator when the winch reel is rotated, the latch operator beingmoveably mounted to the winch assembly; iii) the control means for saidlatch operator controlling the motion of the latch operator between afirst and a second position; iv) a latch moveably mounted to said winchassembly and being selectively moveable by said latch operator between alatched position and an unlatched position when the latch operator movesbetween the first and second positions respectively; v) the latch havingdetent means for retaining said carrier proximate a stored positionshould the flexible member break; whereby as the drive shaft and thewinch reel rotate thereby simultaneously moving the latch operator fromthe first position when the winch reel and drive shaft are not operatedand the load is in the stored position, to the second position when thewinch reel and drive shaft are operated and the load is being moved toan accessible position from the stored position as the flexible memberis let out, the latch is also moved respectively from the latchedposition whereat the detent means of the latch is positionedsubstantially adjacent to the detent portion of the second portion ofthe carrier to secure the carrier in the stored position should themember break and preclude the loss of the load, to an unlatched positionwhereat said detent means of the latch is positioned substantiallyremote the detent portion of the second portion of the carrier, whereatthe load is free to move by the letting out or taking up of the flexiblemember to and from the accessible position.
 2. The safety device ofclaim 1 wherein the latch operator is a rod having two ends, the firstend in engagement with the control means and the second end foroperating the latch.
 3. An improved safety device for a spare tirestorage assembly having a winch reel rotatable upon a drive shaft, saidwinch reel taking up and letting out a cable having a first and secondend and being attached to said reel proximate said first end, theimproved safety device comprising: a fire carrier for carrying a sparetire, the carrier including a first portion for insertion within anopening in the tire and a second portion having a first and second end,said second portion being engaged with the first portion proximate thefirst end thereof and having an expanded head proximate the second endthereof, said expanded head having a shoulder, the first portionsupporting the spare tire, and the second portion being engaged with thesecond end of the cable proximate the expanded head of the secondportion; i) the safety device including a latch actuating member and anoperating link engaged with said latch actuating member, said operatinglink having a first and second end and being moveable between a firstand second position, the latch actuating member being directly mountedon the drive shaft of said winch reel and having an axis of rotation incommon with the axis of rotation of said winch reel, and including atleast one link control track having a first and second end and engagingthe first end of said operating link; ii) the link control track of thelatch actuating member engaging the operating link of said safety deviceproximate the first end thereof and controlling the motion of theoperating link between the first and second positions as the first endof said operating link moves between the first and second ends of the atleast one link control track of said latch actuating member, and thesecond end of said operating link operating a latch as said operatinglink moves between said first and second positions thereof, the latchactuating member being substantially simultaneously operable with thewinch reel as said winch reel is rotated by said drive shaft; iii) saidlatch being resiliently biased and being moveable by said operating linkbetween a latched position and an unlatched position, the operating linkbeing interconnected with the latch proximate the second end of saidoperating link and being moveable by the operation of the latchactuating member, iv) the latch having at least one finger integraltherewith, wherein when the latch is in the latched position and thespare tire is in a stored position, the at least one finger of the latchis positioned substantially under the shoulder of the expanded head ofthe second portion of the tire carrier to secure the tire carrier in thestored position and preclude the loss of the tire should the cablebreak, and when the latch is in the unlatched position the spare tire isunlatched and free to move by the letting out or taking up of the cableto and from an accessible position.
 4. The safety device of claim 3wherein the operating link is a rod having two ends, the first endengaging the link control track of the latch actuating member and thesecond end operating the latch.
 5. The safety device of claim 3 whereinthe latch actuating member is substantially disk shaped.
 6. The safetydevice of claim 5 wherein said substantially disk shaped latch actuatingmember has a center and a perimeter and is formed with an opening forfastening of the latch actuating member in position, said at least onelink control track further comprising at least one substantially arcuatespiral track to control the motion of the operating link, the at leastone spiral track being defined between at least two substantially spiralshaped raised portions having two ends and including a central broadportion and flexible tapered flange portions proximate the ends of theraised portions, and a raised ring about the perimeter of saidsubstantially disk shaped latch actuating member, the raised portionstherefore controlling the operating link therebetween as the latchactuating member is rotated.
 7. The safety device of claim 3 wherein thelatch actuating member has a center a perimeter, and wherein first endof the link control track is disposed proximate the actuating member andthe second end of the link control track is disposed proximate theperimeter of the latch actuating member.
 8. The safety device of claim 3or 4 wherein the link control track is disposed proximate a first sideof the actuating member substantially facing said winch reel.
 9. Thesafety device of claim 3 wherein the at least one finger of the latchhas cam surfaces to engage under the shoulder of the expanded head ofthe second portion of the carrier when the load is moved from theaccessible position to the stored position.
 10. The safety device ofclaim 1 or 3 wherein the latch actuating member is disposed within awinch housing.
 11. The safety device of claim 1 or 3 wherein the latchactuating member is engaged with said drive shaft on one side of theassembly remote from said winch reel.
 12. An improved safety device foruse in a winch assembly having a winch reel rotatable upon a driveshaft, said winch reel taking up and letting out a flexible memberhaving a first and second end and being attached to said reel proximatesaid first end, and being attached to a load carrier proximate saidsecond end, said load carrier having a detent provided therewith; theimproved safety device comprising: i) a latch actuating member operablesubstantially simultaneously as said winch reel is rotated by said driveshaft, the latch actuating member being directly mounted on the driveshaft of said winch reel, said latch actuating member having an axis ofrotation in common with the axis of rotation of said winch reel, thelatch actuating member having a motion control for controlling themotion of a latch operator between a first and a second position whenthe winch reel is rotated, the latch operator being moveably mounted tothe winch assembly; ii) a latch moveably affixed relative to the winchassembly, said latch being selectively moveable by said latch operatorbetween a latched and an unlatched position, the latch operator beinginterconnected with the latch, the latch having a detent integraltherewith; whereby at the latched position a load is in a storedposition and the winch is not operated, and the detent of the latch ispositioned substantially adjacent to the detent of the load carrier tosecure the carrier in the stored position and preclude the loss of theload should the member break, and at the unlatched position the load isunlatched and free to move by the letting out or taking up of the memberto and from an accessible position.
 13. An improved safety device foruse in a winch assembly, the winch assembly having a winch reelrotatable upon a drive shaft, said winch reel taking up and letting outa flexible member having a first and second end and being attached tosaid reel proximate said first end, and being attached to a carrier fora load proximate said second end, the improved safety device comprising:i) a latch actuating member operable substantially simultaneously assaid winch reel is rotated by said drive shaft, the latch actuatingmember being directly mounted on the drive shaft of said winch reel andhaving an axis of rotation in common with the axis of rotation of saidwinch reel; ii) the latch actuating member having a motion control forcontrolling the motion of a latch operator between a first and a secondposition as the winch reel is rotated; iii) a latch being moveablyaffixed relative to the winch assembly and being selectively moveable bythe latch operator between a latched and an unlatched position, thelatch operator being interconnected with the latch, the latch having adetent integral therewith; whereby at the latched position a load is ina stored position and the winch is not operated, and the detent of thelatch is positioned to secure the carrier for the load in the storedposition and preclude the loss of the load should the member break, andat the unlatched position the load is unlatched and free to move by theletting out or taking up of the member to and from an accessibleposition.